“It is with great personal sadness that I report Joe’s passing yesterday in Hawaii after a gradual decline. There may be a memorial in Santa Cruz in due time. I will let you know any further info when I can.”

From Jo’s daughter:

“… dad passed away July 25 in my arms as I was reading him a letter I wrote him about what a great dad he was and how I was blessed with the best and I showed him the watercolor I painted for him.

That day we painted watercolors in his room his friends and family came lots of them we all told joe stories and painted while he lay in bed I think it was a perfect send off … dad was at peace when he left [brother] Shawn passed away July 24 2015 so it seemed right dad was ready a year later.”